September 18, 2025
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
9:30 Continental Breakfast: 10:15 Lecture
Butterfield Country Club
2800 Midwest Road
Oakbrook, IL
NON-MEMBER GUESTS WELCOME
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (coupon for members below)
Reservation Coupon
This first program of the 2025-2026 year will be a presentation on Chesley Bonestell, sometimes referred to as the “Dean of Astronomical Artists”. His artwork depicts planets, stars, and spacecraft. Throughout history humankind has fantasized the mystery and wonder of what lies beyond the earth. Astronomers studied the skies, authors penned space adventures, but only a handful of artists portrayed space. American artist, Chesley Bonestell 1888-1986 was integral and essential to creating our nation’s vision of space both in film and for the future American space program.
Presenter Kristen Beirn is an art historian, educator, and adjunct faculty at College of Du Page. This lecture shares the cultural and historical significance of Bonestell’s oeuvre and why he is considered “the father of space art”. Likely you have experienced the brilliance of Bonestell without even knowing as his contributions to American art and architecture spans from coast to coast.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Six Wives of Henry the Eighth
Martina Mathisen, Educational Entertainer
Queen, lover, mother, outcast, victim, survivor: Meet the six wives of Henry VIII as presented by Martina Mathisen of Edu-tainment Living History in this one-of-a-kind program. We will discover compelling truths about these remarkable women from an intriguing time in history. These fascinating women led equally fascinating lives-apart from the manner in which they ended. Martina artfully interweaves tales of power, personality, and politics. Do these six famous wives deserve their popular labels? Join us Thursday, October 9, 2025 to meet the Six Wives of Henry VIII and decide for yourself!
9:30 Coffee; 10:15 Lecture; 11:15 Lunch
Edgewood Valley Country Club 7500 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Burr Ridge, IL
MEMBERS ONLY
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Reservation coupon here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Behind the Scenes at Marshall Field’s Holiday Traditions
Amy Meadows, Designer, Educator, Speaker
Visual Merchandising & Retail
9:30 Coffee; 10:15 Lecture; 11:15 Lunch
LaGrange Country Club
620 S. Brainard Avenue
LaGrange, IL
NON-MEMBER GUESTS WELCOME
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Japan and the World: Impressionism, Modernism, and Contemporary Currents
Lucas Livingston
Creator and Host of Ancient Art Podcast
Lucas will delve into the intricate interplay between Japan and the Western world, highlighting their mutual fascination and influence during the second half of the 19th century. Turning to the 20th century he will discuss notable developments in Japanese prints and painted folding screens, showcasing Japan’s artistic evolutions and interactions with global modernist trends.
Plymouth Place
315 N. LaGrange Road
LaGrange Park, IL
MEMBERS ONLY
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Reservation coupon here
Coffee, tea, and continental breakfast 9:30 AM
Program 10:15 AM
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Women Artists and Composers of the 18th and 19th Centuries
Jeff Nigro, Art Historian
Stephen Alltop, Conductor, and musical guests
Art Historian Jeffrey Nigro weaves together a compelling presentation on the lives and works of women painters from the 17th through the 20th centuries. Josefien Stoppelenburg and Stephen Alltop will offer music by female contemporaries of the featured painters.
Joint Program with Far West and West Suburban art groups
11:00 Lecture at McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
1:00 Lunch at Abbington Banquets
3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, IL
Reservation coupon here
NON-MEMBER GUESTS WELCOME
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Art Deco
Kathleen Skolnik
Art/Architecture Historian, Author, & Educator at Roosevelt University
9:30 Coffee; 10:15 Program, 11:15 Lunch
Ruth Lake Country Club
6200 S. Madison Street
Hinsdale, IL
MEMBERS ONLY
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED